Alfred University, Medaille University approve ‘teach-out’ agreement

The agreement—which became effective Monday, May 15—designates Alfred University as the lead “teach-out” institution. Teach-out programs allow students opportunities to transfer to other schools and finish their academic careers in their chosen discipline. The teach-out agreement between Medaille and Alfred applies to currently enrolled Medaille undergraduate and graduate students in good academic standing, as well as first-year students who had planned to enroll at Medaille this fall.

“We are pleased to partner with Medaille as the lead teach-out institution,” said Mark Zupan, Alfred University president. “We know this is a difficult situation for those in the Medaille community, especially for the students. We hope this will help ease some of the uncertainty they have been experiencing.”

Zupan noted that Alfred University offers programs that largely align with those of Medaille University. “This will allow Medaille students a seamless transition to continue their studies and complete their degree requirements at Alfred University.”

“By partnering with Alfred University, we at Medaille University will best be able to accommodate the needs of our students to complete their education,” added Lori Quigley, interim president of Medaille University. “While it is with a heavy heart that we must close our venerable institution after a long legacy of educating many leaders in all fields worldwide, we now see great hope for our faculty, staff, and students to have options that will serve them very well. Alfred University offers a very similar culture of inclusion and collaborative support as that at Medaille; we know our people will thrive in Alfred.”

Under the agreement, admissions fees for Medaille students transferring to Alfred University will be waived. Current Medaille students who enroll at Alfred will be considered transfer students, while new students who had planned to enroll at Medaille for the Fall 2023 semester will be considered first-year students at Alfred University. On-campus housing will be available to all Medaille undergraduate students enrolling at Alfred.

The net annual cost of attendance will be no higher for Medaille students transitioning to Alfred University. For each year they are enrolled at Alfred University, tuition will be no more than that which students would have paid to Medaille University. Additionally, students will be eligible to receive scholarships and financial aid, including need-based grants, available through Alfred University that relatively matches the net financial aid received from Medaille University for the 2022-23 academic year.

Depending on Alfred University’s athletic rosters, some student-athletes from Medaille transferring to Alfred University will have the opportunity to continue their collegiate athletic careers. (Medaille student-athletes who are interested in competing at Alfred University should visit the Alfred University Athletics Department directory to contact the respective head coach.)

Medaille and Alfred offer several of the same Division III intercollegiate athletics programs and are fellow members of the Empire 8 Athletic Conference. A move to Alfred University—which offers 17 NCAA Division III sports as well as men’s and women’s Alpine skiing, competitive cheerleading, women’s rugby, and three co-ed equestrian teams—would also provide Medaille students with several new opportunities to participate in athletics competition.  In addition, Alfred University anticipates adding baseball, field hockey, and men’s volleyball soon.  For a timeline of those additions, please contact Deb Steward, associate vice president for Student Experience, Athletics, and Recreation, via email.

“My coaches and I welcome the conversation with Medaille student-athletes to see if we are the right fit for your athletic pursuits,” Steward said. “We also have over 75 clubs and organizations, intramurals, and recreational opportunities.  We can assist (Medaille students) in making connections at Alfred University.”